Dryland permaculture on 1/2 acre in the Murray Mallee region

Category Archives: Produce No Waste

People are scared of asking for things. They fear rejection. “But what if they say no?” So what? They might say “Yes” or “Yes, but if you meet these conditions…” The only way you’ll find out is by asking. By taking a risk. The consequences of which may not be significant at all. Perhaps just the opportunity to ask somebody else.

I walk past a building demolition site every day. Finally, today, the building was reduced to but a pile of rubble. But within that rubble was about 10 pallet loads of good red bricks. Perfect for several projects I have planned at my block in the Mallee. The boundary fence was emblazoned with the name of the firm responsible for the demolition. I gave them a call. Unfortunately, in this instance, the materials are due to be taken away later on today. I can’t arrange transport with such short notice. However, the helpful project manager on the phone informed me that I was welcome to call them when I have got transport at the ready, and they’ll point me in the direction of a demolition site that may have available some materials to my liking.

I was hesitant about asking at first. “They probably have rules about letting randoms on site to collect stuff”. Apparently not. The project manager was glad to hear of the prospect of some of these valuable materials being put to good use. For the rest will end up recycled into aggregate, or worse, in a landfill.

If I had of gotten a “No”, I would have just asked the next demolition firm I saw.